telescopecomparison · 2-way
Celestron C8 SCT vs Astro-Tech AT8RC
Key differences
+25% focal length
Slower by 2.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Celestron C8 SCT | Astro-Tech AT8RC |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | sct | RC |
| Optical design | Schmidt-Cassegrain | Ritchey-Chrétien |
| Aperture | 203mm | 203mm |
| Focal length | 2032mm | 1624mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/10.0 | f/8.0 |
| Image circle | — | 42mm |
| Full-frame support | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 5.7kg | 10.0kg |
Advantages of Celestron C8 SCT
- Tighter framing — 2032mm vs 1624mm focal length
- Lighter (5.7kg vs 10kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Astro-Tech AT8RC
- Wider field — 1624mm vs 2032mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/8 vs f/10
- Larger image circle (42mm) — supports bigger sensors
Best for — Celestron C8 SCT
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
Best for — Astro-Tech AT8RC
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Celestron C8 SCT — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.02° × 0.68°Scale: 0.38"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.66° × 0.44°Scale: 0.38"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.32° × 0.32°Scale: 0.38"/px
Astro-Tech AT8RC — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.27° × 0.85°Scale: 0.48"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.83° × 0.55°Scale: 0.48"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.40° × 0.40°Scale: 0.48"/px
Celestron C8 SCT — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a backyard imaging setup.
Astro-Tech AT8RC — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a backyard imaging setup.